Après avoir, las, passé

Pierre Certon's chansons often explore the lighter side of life, but Après avoir, las, passé takes a more melancholic turn. This setting for STTB voices, sung in French, opens with a plaintive melody that immediately conveys the singer's weariness. The text expresses the sorrow of a lover who has spent all his time in grief and suffering, serving his mistress to the best of his ability, and now questions why he should be cast out. The intimate texture of the four voices allows for a sensitive unfolding of this lament, making it a poignant choice for secular programming. The composer's skill in word-painting is evident as the music reflects the despair of the lyrics.